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Last updated: November 17, 2023
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Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in many parts of the world. This sport unites and takes the best elements of games such as tennis, badminton, and table tennis. If you’re looking to introduce pickleball into your life, Selkirk is a good brand to start. We’ve chosen to go for Selkirk paddles this time because they are one of the most popular manufacturers of pickleball gear out there.
To make sure everyone can pick something from our Selkirk pickleball paddle reviews, we considered paddles that offer different handle sizes and weights. The paddle material is also crucial for the gameplay, so this also influenced our selections. So, take a look at our informative reviews of the selected products as well as a guide to choosing. Are you in a hurry? Then here are our top picks!
"This paddle is made up of quality materials, sold for a good price, and has great reviews from pickleball players.Largest surface area in the line.Midweight and lightweight options.Wrapped handle and wrist strap."
"The Selkirk Invikta is an elongated paddle with a longer than usual handle and a heavier weight.Slightly larger size.Longer 5 1/4″ grip.Power-oriented paddle."
"The Epic Prime X4 has a fiberglass surface with a core of Polypropylene X4 and offers great control.Has power and precision.Quiet and soft.Used by professionals."
The Selkirk Amped S2 Pickleball Paddle is made up of quality materials and comes at a good price. It comes in 32 color and two weight options. The paddle has a wrapped handle and wrist strap. It is durable and is ready for playtime.
The paddle has a wrapped grip handle for traction and wrist straps for safety. It also has a nice touch to soften up hard balls. The composite surface of the paddle is made of FiberFlex unidirectional fiberglass, and the core is polypropylene. The cool thing about the X5 core is that it gives you a lot more softness, a lot more feel than other types of paddles because of that thickness. Fiberglass paddles are known for having just a little bit more spin than other types of paddle faces like composite faces or graphite.
It feels good on the drive with a considerable power put into it. So, you don’t have to swing as hard as you would need to do with a lot of weaker paddles that have a lot of control and touches, but they don’t have the power to put behind it. We think this paddle has that. It feels nice on overheads and solid for blocks.
The paddle is made for all types of users regarding the weight of the item. For those who want a midweight model, choose the 8.0–8.5 oz. one. Meanwhile, if you want something more lightweight, then the one with a weight of 7.4–7.9 oz. is there for the taking.
Why did it make our list? We like that you can choose between midweight and lightweight. We also like how powerful the paddle is and how many options it offers.
What is not ideal about it? A shorter handle may not work for some people.
The Selkirk INVIKTA is a midweight and power-oriented version of an elongated paddle. It’s not entirely elongated. The maximum length of any given pickleball paddle is 17 inches; that’s the maximum allowed by the USAPA. The Invikta is similar to the Omni. It is 16.5 inches so it’s not the longest paddle, but you still get a good width.
What’s good about the Invicta is that it’s actually 7.4 inches wide so when you compare it to a traditional paddle you’re only losing about two-thirds of an inch worth of width. That means that you’re losing a third on each side which is very common with elongated paddles. However, you gain three-quarters of an inch in terms of height.
What’s cool is that you get a longer handle with the Invicta look. What this means is that you can hold the paddle a little bit further up the handle. This makes it easier to swing. After all, you don’t have as much weight to carry when your handle is at the bottom because you’re closer to the center of gravity. Also, it’s easier to swing. The Invicta is a whippy paddle that makes you use a lot of wrist action when you’re playing with it. That’s why we say it’s more of a power-oriented version of an elongated paddle.
Like the S2, the surface is made of FiberFlex unidirectional fiberglass. Also, its core is made of Polymer honeycomb core.
What are our favorite features? The Selkirk Invicta is an elongated paddle with a longer than usual handle. This paddle is great for spinning ball and comfortable during play.
What could be better? The price could be lower or the quality increased. We think it’s too expensive considering how long it lasts.
The Selkirk Latitude is a widebody composite pickleball paddle with a lightweight design. The surface of the paddle is made of polyflex vinyl composite while the core is made of polymer, which is the most popular type of core that’s being used these days. It gives you a good combination of power and control. The difference though is that the amped paddles are extremely thick.
It’s the best for beginners or even intermediate players because of the lightness and width for the height. You get a little bit of that sweet spot and a little bit of accuracy. Keep in mind that the skinnier the paddle is, the more accuracy you get. If you have previous experience with tennis or even racquetball and are a player that has a balanced game, this could be a great option for you.
What stands out? Despite its price, the paddle is feature-rich. It has a high-quality but lightweight core made of PowerCore polymer. It has the EdgeSentry Protection, ThinGrip handle and it is USAPA approved.
What cons did we manage to find? Some users noted that the grip does not feel comfortable to hold. Also, at 15.2 inches with a 5.25-inch handle, the paddle may feel too short for some.
Back in 2017, Selkirk released four paddles with its brand new amped technology. These inside the S2, the Maxima, Omni, and the Epic. These four great paddles have been made even greater with the new amped technology.
First off, this paddle played differently than any paddle. We love how much softer it was, whether you’re playing Dinks or drops, or whether you’re trying to put something softly in the back of the court.
The paddle surface is soft, and we think part of it has to do with the technology that they packed into it. It features their proprietary X4 FiberFlex fiberglass surface and it also has a polymer core in the inside. But it’s slightly thicker than preceding models.
The paddle has great control and good power. What we like about it is that it is softer on the surface, thanks to the FiberFlex. We also notice that it’s a lot quieter during play. For a lot of people, it doesn’t matter what it sounds like. But if you live in a community that cares about the noise the pickleball creates, you might be interested in something like this.
Why is it special? The Epic series has power, precision, it’s soft, quiet, and looks awesome. Not many other models have it!
What are the flaws? The only thing you should take note of is the weight of the paddle – it may feel too lightweight and require harder swing.
Do you need an even larger sweet spot? Then what you need is the Selkirk Amped S2 Paddle. The paddle comes with a shift handle like most traditional paddles for pickleball, but it’s larger due to its small handler size.
The Selkirk features two technologies. These include the FiberFlex surface made of fiberglass and the core technology which consists of the X4 honeycomb polymer. The combination of these technologies let you have more control and power and is guaranteed to have you “Amped Up” with each shot.
The paddle comes in an ocean blue color and is a sharp looking model. You notice it when you’re on the court right away. The graphics is like a translucent paint job you can see through and see the honeycomb inside.
If you are on a budget, the S2 paddle is for you because it is considerably less expensive than its rivals. The relatively cheap price makes the pickleball more suitable for beginners. Its ultra-light design makes playing and carrying it anywhere effortless.
What we liked: We like the dual technology of the paddle. The design of the polymer core and FiberFlex surface offers power and control for all skill levels – whether as a pro or beginner
What could be better: The handle is too short for some pickleball players. A few users wish there is the option of a longer handle.
Things to Consider
Now that you’ve decided to give pickleball a try, the paddle will be your most prized asset. And here is a piece of packed information on how to choose and use it.
Why choose Selkirk pickleball paddles?
There’s something about Selkirk pickleball paddles that have set them apart from the competition. Firstly, their paddles are made in the USA, so you expect them to be of the highest quality. All of their paddles, from the Selkirk Amped S2 to the Selkirk Prime S2 X4, are tested and approved by the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA). The construction of the paddles usually includes two technologies in the core and surface. These include a fiberglass surface and a polymer core. These offer optimal control and power.
Features to consider before you buy a pickleball paddle
Yes, Selkirk pickleball paddles are made from the highest quality materials, but like most sports accessories, deciding on the pickleball paddle could be confusing and difficult. There are various sizes and shapes to choose from. You need a paddle that balances power and ball control. To choose the best, here are things to consider.
Paddle face and core materials
The substance that a paddle is made of is quite important. Wood and vinyl are used to create paddles, but there are exceptions. Various materials are used for the core and the surface.
Surface materials
The substance on the surface will help determine the amount of spin generated on the ball. There are 3 types of materials.
Graphite: A thin coating of graphite provides strength and keeps the paddle light and fast.
Composite: The composite substance is made from fiberglass which is hard and generates a bursting noise when struck. It is the surface material used in paddles today. The Selkirk Amped S2 and the Selkirk Latitude Widebody are made of composite materials.
Carbon fiber: Carbon fiber is much stronger than graphite and more expensive. It is ideally suited for professional players as it needs skill considering it lets the paddle lose some responsiveness and also increases the speed of the ball.
The core materials
There are often three different materials
Aluminum: The aluminum cores are all strong and thick, providing excellent ball control. On the other hand, the arrangement can collapse.
Nomex: Nomex is considerably denser and lighter than aluminum. It gives the most effective control.
Polymer: Polymer cores give you maximum durability, which is why they are frequently used in paddles today. They are not great at handling balls like Nomex. Most of the products in our reviews (the Selkirk Amped S2 and the Selkirk INVIKTA, for example) have a polymer core
Paddle weight
Weight is the most crucial element in determining the speed and control of the ball. The paddle weighs can vary from six to 14 ounces. Seven to eight-ounce paddles are quite common. More than eight-ounce, they are considered weighted paddles.
Weighted paddles give you durability and power. This can be useful for novices who want a little help. Lighter paddles can cause strain resulting in fatigue and injuries and will limit your ball control. But ball control is provided by the paddles as they are easier to swing. Professional players use this freedom to do a lot of tricks. Because they need more effort and approach to push the ball, lightweight paddles are not suggested for beginners.
Dimensions of the handle
Different pickleball paddles differ in their grip dimensions. The circumference of the chord measures can vary from 4 to 4 1/2 inches. Small grip sizes are ideal for players with small hands. People with big hands will not be able to handle this well. Clasp sizes, on the other hand, can also be cumbersome to manage and add extra weight.
Selkirk offers several grip options for different types of users:
Comfort grip comes with a 4.25″ circumference and is preferred by most people.
Thin grip measures 4″ in circumference and is preferred by people with small hands. It makes the paddle somewhat lighter overall.
Contour grip also comes with a 4.25″ circumference, but it has ridges and is recommended for newbies.
The double grip has the largest circumference of 4.5″ and is preferred by players with large hands. It also increases the overall weight of the paddle.
It is far better to have a grip. Paddle handles arrive equipped with foam or other substances to make them comfortable.
Edge guard or edgeless
When it’s time to buy a pickleball paddle, terms which you will become familiar with are edge guard and edgeless. What are they and what benefits does each of them offer. Pickleball paddles have edge guards to help protect paddle surfaces from miss-hits and hard courts. Graphite paddles are mostly brittle and the edge may chip or break faster when you hit it on hard surfaces. However, new technologies incorporated in paddles now ensure you can have durable paddles without the edge guard.
One of the benefits of an edgeless paddle is that it is more aerodynamic during use than those with an edge guard. This is because the paddle doesn’t have anything obstructing the face.
Price
When it comes to the price point, it’s possible to find a cheaper edgeless paddle. However, most edgeless paddles often come at a higher price than edge guarded models. This is because manufacturers spend more time producing an edgeless product which will be resistant to chips, breakages, and other types of wear. Generally, edge guarded paddles are more accessible when it comes to the price level.
Generally, pickleball paddles have prices ranging from $15-150. It all depends on the materials and technologies used. The least expensive wooden paddles can be bought for around $15 or more.
For top-quality models made of graphite or composite materials such as the Selkirk Amped S2 and the Selkirk Latitude Widebody, the price can vary from $100-150. Meanwhile, you can still find graphite and composite models in the midpoint of the price range for around $20-50.
Determining your hand size
To know what handle size you need for your paddle, there is a very well-known method that is often used. This consists of taking a paddle in your hand by the handle, a bit like holding a hammer. Then check that there is space for a finger between the hand and the tip of the ring finger. If there is no space left and your fingers are touching your hand, the handle is too small. If there is a lot of room between your hand and your fingertips, for example, you can move your index finger in this space, the handle may be too big.
A handle that is too small or a handle that is too large hinders good technique and can lead to injuries to the wrist or elbow from excessive muscle contraction.
After some practice, the size of the handle becomes a parameter that can be quite personal. Some may prefer a slightly larger or smaller handle diameter.
Yes, although it depends on the hand size. However, most women have smaller grips and men have bigger grips, so the size of the handles varies for both genders.
If you have arthritis or other joint problems, the best paddle type to choose would be the lighter one. This type of paddle however makes it harder for you to achieve a long and hard shot.
As a beginner, you need a paddle that is stable in hand and a bit weighted. Don’t choose products below six-ounce weight or above 8.5-ounce weight. Avoid elongated paddles. Don’t choose wooden, aluminum, or Nomex core paddles, if you can.
For more power, you need a lightweight paddle with a generous sweet spot. This type is easy to swing.
Our Verdict
Our overall best and Editor’s Choice is the Selkirk Amped S2 Pickleball Paddle. We like this paddle because it is made up of quality materials and is sold for a good price. It comes in 32 color options and two size options.
Our Upgrade Pick is the Selkirk INVIKTA Pickleball Paddle. This is an elongated paddle with a longer than usual handle. It comes in two versions – the midweight version and the lightweight version.
Finally, out of our Selkirk pickleball paddle reviews, the Selkirk Latitude Widebody has the best value for money. It is a composite pickleball paddle with lightweight construction. The surface of the paddle is made of polyflex vinyl composite while the core is made of polymer.
There’s something about Selkirk pickleball paddles that have set them apart from the competition. Firstly, their paddles are made in the USA, so you expect them to be of the highest quality. All of their paddles, from the 
The substance on the surface will help determine the amount of spin generated on the ball. There are 3 types of materials.
Different pickleball paddles differ in their grip dimensions. The circumference of the chord measures can vary from 4 to 4 1/2 inches. Small grip sizes are ideal for players with small hands. People with big hands will not be able to handle this well. Clasp sizes, on the other hand, can also be cumbersome to manage and add extra weight.
